What’s Coming Up in 2011 for Major League Baseball?

Predictions for the Major League Baseball 2011 season are a dime a dozen. It is always easy to make claims before the ball hits the bat. The pre-season is still months away, but some sports writers are taking shots at anticipating how the year will play out.



American League



Both the Yankees and the Red Sox are being touted as likely champions in 2011. The Red Sox acquired some key players: Crawford and Gonzales. On the other hand, the Yankees have what is generally considered a better team.



In the Central region the White Sox have the strongest team, although if the Tigers can avoid injuries this year, they will give Chicago a run for their money.



The Texas Rangers should do well in the West, but the Oakland A’s are looking good as well. Texas lacks a good pitching staff, and without one, they may not be able to rise to the top.



National League



When it comes to the National League East both the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies have a shot. Some pundits feel that the Phillies have one of the best starting lineups in the sport.



In the Central division the St. Louis Cardinals are the team to beat. Their closest competition should be the Cincinnati Reds, and they are depending upon an older team and a questionable line up.



Head west and hopes are pinned on the Colorado Rockies and the Giants. Plenty of young talent sits in the Rockies’ dugout but the Giants have an enthusiastic stable of pitchers, and pitching makes or breaks a game.



Spring Training Around the Corner



Mandatory Spring Training begins on February 26, 2011 with opening day scheduled for March 31. Of course, pitchers and catchers will be reporting in on Valentine’s Day and chances are that most players will be at camp before the clock reaches the proverbial "midnight."



Regardless of player, team or location you can bet that everyone will be looking down the long road towards the World Series. Predictions are exciting, but as German Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke said: "no battle plan survives contact with the enemy."



Michael Rupkalvis owns the Transaction group. The Transaction Group offers retail credit card processing and other credit card merchant account solutions for all types of businesses.